Receptacle



July 24, 1951 c;, ZH-IGLER 2,561,835

RECEPTACLE Filed Aug. 8, 1949 v INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY Patented July 24, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RECEPTACLE Frank C. Ziegler, Tulsa, Okla. Application August 8, 1949, Serial No. 109,121

, 4 Claims.

1 -i v This invention relates in general to receptacles, and deals, more particularly, with an improved receptacle fastening means for providing a releasable lock of the cover or lid of a receptacle in closed position to prevent accidental or unintended opening thereof.

The receptacle closure and fastening means of the present invention is one of general utility in that it may be readily employed in a wide range and variety of applications and uses in connection with practically any receptacle having a closure or lid which is pivoted or otherwise separable from the body of the receptacle.

A primary object of the invention, accordingly, is to provide such a receptacle closure and fastening means of general utility in a simplified and inexpensive construction and arrangement which may be readily provided as a unitary part of any suitable receptacle at low cost and with little or no change in the structure of the receptacle.

Another primary object of the invention is to provide a receptacle closure and fastening means such as described in which the fastening means comprises a pivoted locking arm that is operable easily and quickly and readily secured in a, simple snap fastening action to provide a positive lock of the receptacle cover or lid in closed position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a receptacle closure and fastening means therefor wherein the fastening means comprises a locking arm which is pivotally connected to the receptacle body in overlying relation to the receptacle cover or lid in closed position and which is releasably secured in such position by a cooperating snap fastening means on the receptacle cover or lid.

An additional more specific object of the invention is to provide such a pivoted locking arm construction for a receptacle closure in which the snap fastening means on the closure comprises a pair of retaining elements adapted to clasp opposite edge portions of a plate-like portion, on the locking arm in frictional snap fastened relation therewith.

Further objects and advantages, and other new and useful features in the construction, arrangement and general combination of elements and parts of the invention will be readily apparent as the following description proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings, for purposes of Fig. 1 is atop plan view of a receptacle;

vided with fastening means for the cover or lid thereof in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the receptacle and closure locking means shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of Fig. 1 along line 3-3, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is an; end view of the receptacle as seen from the right of Fig. l and,

Fig. 5 isatop plan view corresponding to Fig. 1 showing thelocking arm as released to permit the receptacle cover or lid to swing outwardly to open position as represented in broken lines.

The invention is'shown in the drawings, for illustrative purposes only, as provided in a receptacle known as a pyx which is used for certain religious purposes. t will be understood that the invention is not many way limited to such a receptacle but rather, is equally appli cableto any similar or related type of receptacle such as a watch casing, compact or powder case, pill box, or any other similar container in the form of an article of jewelry, or the like. Likewise, while the invention is disclosed in conneo tion with a pyx on which the design of a cross, as shown in Fig. 1, is most appropriate, .it will be appreciated that in the case of various other receptacles, as aforesaid, there may be employed instead any selected emblem, charm, or similar plate-like ornament in the form of a medal or coin, or the like, carrying a symbol, character or, other special or artistic design. In this regard, any suitable plate-like ornament having any selected design may be readily employed in accordance with the invention to serve a dual purpose asa unitary part or member of the receptacle locking means in addition to its usual value as an article of jewelry or ornament, or the like. i

. Referring now, more particularly, to the drawings, the invention is disclosed in connection with areceptacle or casing havinga generally cylindrical construction but, of course, is also adaptable to any similar box or casing of square, rectangular, oval or other selected contour. In the present example, the receptacle is shown comprising a cup-shaped body portion i and a closure in the form of a cover, top or lid 3 having a peripheral skirt 4 and which is pivotally connected to the receptaclebody I in any suitable manner asby. a hinge 5. i

on the receptacle body I, a second independent hinge I0 is provided in any suitable location, preferablyin, a position opposite the cover supporting hin e :5 and'below the peripheral skirt i. of the coveronlid 3. ,The hinge [0 may be DIO'r-I vided in any suitable way and, in the present example, is shown in the form of a small flat projecting piece I I which is united to the outer Wall of the receptacle body and which comprises a pair of spaced ears I2 having aligned horizontal holes for receiving the ends or a hinge pin I4 which is carried at one end of a locking arm I5.

The locking arm I5, provided with the hinge pin I4, is suitably formed to correspond substantially with the contour of the adjacent side and top of the closed receptacle and to overlie the cover 3, as best seen in Fig. 2. The locking arm. I5, accordingly, includes a vertical side portion from the receptacle body I and moved, in the It merging into an intermediate portion I 'I which extends in closely adjacent abutting relation to the cover or lid 3 in closed position and is thereby adapted to maintain said coveror lid Jagains t accidental or unintended opening.

The locking arm I5 is thus provided of suitable length to overlie the over or lid of the receptacle 3, substantially as shown in Fig. 1, together with a plate-like ornament 28 emblem or charm, or the like, attached to the free end of said locking, arm I5, preferably at a. point in: whichithe ornament is located at the approximate center area of the cover or lid 3.

I The plate-like ornament may beprovided receptacle, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2,the plate like ornament 2D is utilized .to hold the associated locking arm l5 in looking position by engagement of the edge portions of said plate-like ornament with spaced retaining elements provided on the outer surface of the cover or lid '3. Preferably, the spaced retaining elements '25 are provided by a bar 26 united to the lid or' cover 3 andhaving the ends thereof bent upwardly to define said spaced retaining elements 25 in the form of tongues, tabs or similar projections, substantially as shown in Figs. 3 .and 4. The arrangement is such that the spaced retaining elements 25. are adapted for a positive frictional engagement with opposite edge portions of the ornamental plate 20 and inasmuch as said retain ing elements '25 are necessarily slightly resilient at their free ends, they operate with a slight snap action against the engaged edge portions of-the ornamental plate 2!] whenever said plate isleither secured between said retaining elements or'released therefrom.

As shown in Fig. 1, the completed receptacle with the cover or lid closed and the locking arm- I5 in looking position, is compact and uniformly proportioned and provides va most pleasingartlse. tic appearance by reason of the plate-like ornament 20 in the center area thereof.

The receptacle is easily and quickly opened by a simple pull on the exposed free end ofth'e. ornamental plate 20 or anysimilar'force on the locking arm I5 which is sufficient to remove said" plate 20 from engagement between the spaced retaining elements 25. The locking arm- I5 in cluding said plate 20 is then swung by pivotal" tionclear of the cover or'lid*-3'.-as shown inFigr usual manner, to its open position shown in broken lines in Fig. 5.

Likewise, the receptacle cover or lid 3 is readily closed in the usual manner, as shown in full lines in Fig. 5, whereupon the locking arm I5 is swung to overlying relation to said cover or lid 3, as seen in Figs. 1 and 2, and the locking arm secured in such position by engagement of the ornamental plate 20 with the spaced retaining elements ,25 in a quick and easy snap fastening action, as aforesaid, which holds said locking arm [5 firmly and rigidly in looking position for all practical purposes. The locking arm I5, as thus secured, extends closely adjacent to the cover position and prevents any accidental or uninconnected at one end to the receptacle body on' tended opening thereof.

While the invention has been described indetail with a specific example, such example is intended as an illustration only inasmuch as it will bev apparent that various modifications in the, construction, arrangement and general combination of parts may be provided without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The present embodiment is thereforeto be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, with all changes falling within the scope, meaning and range of equivalency of the claims intended to be embracedtherein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patents-is:

1. In a receptacle comprising a receptacle body and a cover having a hinged connection to saidreceptacle body, means for retaining said cover in closed position comprising an arm pivotally. connected at one end to the receptacle body on the side opposite said hinged connection and adapted to swing from a position outwardly of said cover to a position overlying said cover, a plate rigidly connected to the other end of said arm and disposed in generally horizontal relationv to said cover in closed position, and a pair of spaced outwardly projecting tongues on said cover, said tongues being'so spaced'as to engage opposite edges of said plate in. said generally horizontal. relation to said cover to retain said plate therebetwcen and thereby secure said arm in overlying relation to the receptacle cover.

'2. In a receptacle comprising a receptacle body and a cover having a hinged connection to saidreceptacle body, meansfor retaining said cover in .closed position comprising an arm pivotally thesideopposite said hinged connection and adapted to swingfrom a position outwardly of said cover to a position overlying said cover, a. plate rigidlyconnected to the other end of said arm and disposed in generally horizontal relation to said cover in closed position, and a bar united to said cover having its ends bent tofprovide .a'pair of spaced outwardly projecting ton gues, said tongues being so spaced as to engage opposite-edges of said plate in said generally hori-- zontal relation to said cover to retain said plate. therebetween and thereby secure said arm is overlying relation to the receptaclecoverj" :3. In a receptacle comprising a receptacle body and a cover having a hinged connection to said receptacle body, means forretain'ing said cover tongue on said cover engaging the end of an arm of said cross in its said generally horizontal relation to said cover in closed position.

4. In a receptacle comprising a receptacle body and a cover having a hinged connection to said receptacle body, means for retaining said cover in closed position comprising an arm pivotally connected at one end to the receptacle body on the side opposite said hinged connection and adapted to swing from a position outwardly of said cover to a position overlying said cover, a plate in the shape of a cross rigidly connected to the other end of said arm and disposed in generally horizontal relation to said cover in closed position, and a pair of spaced outwardly 6 projecting tongues on said cover, said tongues being so spaced as to engage the ends of a pair of oppositely extending arms of said cross in its saidgenerally horizontal relation to said cover in closed position.

' FRANK C. ZIEGLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 180,140 Lundgren July 25, 1876 239,274 Schodowsky Mar. 22, 1881 569,267 Williams Aug. 13, 1896 1,033,785 Cowell July 30, 1912 1,951,079 Zihlman Mar. 13, 1934 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 148,637 Switzerland July '31, 1931 321,016 Germany May 8, 1920 

